New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said the only coaching job he's interested in is the one he has now. This was in regards to speculation that he might leave for the head coaching position at the University of Michigan.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was upset with TE Jimmy Graham earning two 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties in the team's preseason game for dunking the ball over the goal posts. Graham and Payton appeared to get into tense verbal sparring after the second penalty was called. Payton confirmed he was upset after the game. "Yes, I was," Payton said. "I'm very upset. Would you be upset? I was, particularly."

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said FS Jairus Byrd (back) underwent back surgery Thursday, May 29, and will return to the team in a week. Payton said the surgery did not need to be done, but the team wanted to get this cleared up now. Payton said Byrd will be ready to go for training camp.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton wanted to set off the fire alarms at the Saints practice facility so the sprinklers would go off and the team could practice in rain conditions in preparation for their divisional round game against the Seattle Seahawks. Payton was talked out of that idea.

The New Orleans Saints are using patience as a part of their success, especially in close games. "I think patience is part of it," head coach Sean Payton said after the Saints won the turnover battle 1-0 in a 17-13 victory at Atlanta last Thursday night. "There's an old saying, 'It doesn't have to be aesthetically pleasing to be effective.' At times, that's just being smart."

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said he's unsure who will be calling the offensive plays for the team this year. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael called the plays last year with Payton serving his year-long suspension. The offense under Carmichael put up 28.8 points per game, which was third highest in the league.

Fantasy Tip: Regardless of whether it's Payton or Carmichael calling the offensive shots, the Saints offense should be in good shape. The high-flying aerial attack led by Drew Brees is expected to continue, and they have enough options in the running game to keep defenses honest.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton praised QB Ryan W. Griffin, saying he is not your typical first year quarterback. "It's noticeably different than maybe most first-year quarterbacks coming in and trying to pick things up right away," Payton said of Griffin's understanding of the offense. "You know, there's a lot of things that are familiar. That's a big plus for him."

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said he believes LB Jonathan Vilma, a prototypical 4-3 middle linebacker, can make the switch to the team's new 3-4 scheme under defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Vilma is considered undersized to play middle linebacker in the 3-4; however, Payton can envision Vilma playing in a weakside linebacker spot with LB Curtis Lofton staying as a middle linebacker.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton announced Saturday, Feb. 9, the team has hired Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator and Stan Kwan as assistant special teams coordinator. Payton said he was intrigued by Ryan's aggressiveness as a coordinator and the different looks his defenses can give to opponents. "In regards to Rob, we have experience in preparing and playing against his defenses and they've always been challenging in terms of the different looks and pressures that they feature," Payton said. "We've had the chance to visit with each other and talk about our visions for our team and I'm excited about moving forward as we prepare for the 2013 season. Rob is enthusiastic about joining our team and getting right to work."

The New Orleans Saints hope to conclude their search for a new defensive coordinator by Tuesday, Feb. 12, according to head coach Sean Payton; however, the team is having a difficult time receiving permission to interview position coaches around the league.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton confirmed Wednesday, Feb. 6, in a radio interview that former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is a candidate to become the team's next defensive coordinator. There are other candidates, however, for the job. "We're going to bring in two to three candidates," Payton said. "I think we'll know in a week. Much was reported about Rob Ryan, and he's going to come in and interview here at the end of this week. We'll have, I'd say, at least between two and four candidates."

The New Orleans Saints will be moving to a 3-4 defensive alignment in 2013. "I personally want to thank Steve and Ken for their contributions during what was an unprecedented 2012 season," said head coach Sean Payton. "Philosophically we are changing our defense to a 3-4 alignment and right now is the best time to accomplish this transition."

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said there was no way he was going to another team while his contract situation was being worked out with New Orleans. "There was no way I was going to another team," Payton said in his first public statements since getting reinstated for his role in the bounty scandal. "The issue was a minor technicality. There was a minor clause, (the media) had it right, there was a minor clause in there that wasn't approved. What became more challenging really, was being out of the building and then trying to work through the specifics to get the contract done."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he does not have any meeting scheduled with New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton to discuss Payton's reinstatement but does expect to talk with Payton in the near future.

The New Orleans Saints are still working on the language in head coach Sean Payton's new contract but no setbacks are expected to happen before the deal becomes official. The two sides have agreed on the terms of the contract.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has been informed by the NFL that his suspension will end Sunday, Feb. 3. It is not known if Payton will have to undergo a reinstatement hearing before returning to work.

The New Orleans Saints agreed to a five-year deal with suspended head coach Sean Payton Friday, Dec. 28, according to a league source. Financial terms of the extension weren't disclosed.

Fantasy Tip: Payton's return means status quo for all involved in Drew Brees' passing attack. The Saints have featured the running game more often with Payton exiled, but that approach may dwindle when things return to normal. Darren Sproles will remain the most trusted fantasy option from this backfield.

Contract talks between the New Orleans Saints and head coach Sean Payton are reportedly moving slow. The best-case scenario was a quick resolution; however, it seems more clear now that Payton is weighing all his options.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said his office has communicated with suspended New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton about his eventual reinstatement, and Goodell did not eliminate the possibility of Payton rejoining the organization prior to the Super Bowl. Payton, however, would like an adjustment on the suspension so it would end at the end of the regular season as opposed to after the Super Bowl, according to a source close to the head coach.

There is reportedly a real possibility New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton could join the Dallas Cowboys in 2013. Payton "loved coaching and living in Dallas" when he was with the organization, according to one person who worked for the Cowboys during that time. Payton's daughter and son live in the Dallas area as well. "I could see it happening," one team source said. "You know the relationship. Jerry really respects (Sean). To be honest, I think he was hoping that Jason would be what Sean is - the personality, the creativity. That's who he wanted with Jason, was another Sean."

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was back on the job Tuesday, Nov. 6, after serving his eight-week suspension. He said that he has "absolute" confidence that the team and head coach Sean Payton will reach a contract agreement to keep Payton in New Orleans beyond this season. Sources indicated the two sides are waiting to resume talks until they receive specific written permission from the league to do so.

The New Orleans Saints and suspended head coach Sean Payton are allowed to negotiate a contract extension right now despite the league's no-contact policy as a stipulation for Payton's season-long suspension connected to the bounty scandal, according to a source. Payton has said he plans on remaining with the team.

If New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton does become a free agent in the offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles could be one of the teams to pursue him if head coach Andy Reid is relieved of his duties. Payton coached quarterbacks in Philadelphia in 1997 and 1998, and owner Jeffrey Lurie would try hard to get him, particularly with the Dallas Cowboys reportedly interested.

There is already speculation the Dallas Cowboys could make a run at New Orleans Saints suspended head coach Sean Payton after this season because he is without a contract. Payton was an assistant head coach from 2003 to 2005 with the Cowboys.

The NFL has voided the contract extension the New Orleans Saints gave head coach Sean Payton in September 2011. Payton is now without a contract following this season, which has created questions about how long he will remain with the Saints. He'll likely become the league's most sought-after coach following the season. Some believe his strong relationship with team owner Tom Benson will be enough to keep him with the Saints.

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson may ask the NFL to reduce head coach Sean Payton's season-long suspension for his role in the bounty gate scandal, if Paul Tagliabue reduces player suspensions on appeal this week.

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees requested that suspended head coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and linebackers coach Joe Vitt be allowed to attend the Week 5 game against the San Diego Chargers, as he attempts to break the NFL record with a touchdown pass in 48 consecutive games. The NFL granted permission for the suspended coaches to attend, according to a source. "Commissioner (Roger) Goodell has granted that permission. Coaches Payton and Vitt and Mickey Loomis will be permitted to watch the game in a private area of the stadium and will have no contact with the team," the NFL said Wednesday, Oct. 3, in a statement.

New Orleans Saints suspended head coach Sean Payton said he expects the team to do well without him this season. "I think this program, we've worked hard on it, really invested a lot of time. Coaches, everyone in that organization. We've overcome a lot of challenges in the past. I'm excited to watch them play," Payton said.

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees discussed Tuesday, July 24, his expectation that his team would rise to meet its own unusual set of challenges, which include being without suspended head coach Sean Payton for the entire season. "I'm excited about the unknown because in a lot of ways, we don't necessarily know what to expect," Brees said. "With all this stuff swirling around us, in the end, all we can worry about is what we can control ... I know the type of guys we have. I know the coaches we have. I'm excited to watch it all come together."

The NFL's evidence against the suspended New Orleans Saints coaches, players and former players included emails that Sean Payton's close friend and confidant, Mike Ornstein, sent from prison, offering up bounties for hits. However, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation, Ornstein insisted his emails were jokes, and he unsuccessfully attempted to convince commissioner Roger Goodell of this during their conversations. Ornstein reportedly gave the NFL and the NFL Players Association a text that he said came from former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, saying, "I stood up for you and told them just that. I told them we never took that (stuff) serious. I never ever saw you ever give money and that's just the truth."